The Seattle Police Department arrested a suspect involved in dozens of purse snatchings in Seattle over the past six weeks on Tuesday, with 12 of the victims being Asian, KOMO News reported.
The suspect, 26-year-old James Credit, targeted the victims outside grocery stores in Seattle and stole their purses before fleeing in his vehicle.
Credit robbed his victims in Chinatown-International District, Rainier Valley, and Beacon Hill, according to Seattle PD.
BRAZEN: Seattle police say all victims in purse snatchings have been Asian women. More than 12 reported. Several neighborhoods including Little Saigon in International District. Bias crimes unit investigating.
— Jonathan Choe Journalist KOMO News (@choeshow) May 19, 2021
Details 5pm,6pm @komonews #StopAsianHate #StopAAPIHate @NextShark pic.twitter.com/x7ZsLsvZif
The suspect primarily targeted Asian women between the ages of 40 to 80; however, not all of the victims were Asian and there were over a dozen reported incidents.
Suspect James Credit was arrested in Renton at a Rental Car lot on Tuesday, according to Seattle PD.
During the arrest, law enforcement officers recovered a loaded handgun from Credit. The suspect is a convicted felon which bars him from legally possessing firearms.
Those involved in Credit’s arrest include the Seattle Police Department's Robbery Unit, Gun Violence Reduction Unit, Community Response Group and U.S. Marshals, KOMO News reported.
Credit was booked into King County Jail on multiple counts of theft and unlawful possession of a firearm. He is being held on $250,000 bail.
Due to most of Credit's victims being Asian, 12 of the to be exact, the Seattle Police Department's Bias Crimes Unit joined the investigation; although Hate Crime charges have not yet been filed.